Nick's Bar & Bistro, Melbourne

Open since 1969, this bistro lives up to its tradizione Italiana promise. Chianti bottles, Italian wines and liqueurs, and old photographs of Italy adorn the room, which has a slightly haphazard feel but imparts a wonderfully casual feeling. Along with the usual Italian pasta delights, Nick's does a fantastic antipasto selection. For around AUD10, you can eat a plate of delicious traditional titbits including marinated zucchini, eggplant, asparagus, prosciutto, tomato and mozzarella, fried fish, sardines and bruschettas. Accompany your real Italian food with a real Italian drink from the range of coffees, wines and liqueurs.